Ballad Inmates
Ballad Inmates (Part 35)

By Dalem Tehang

BEFORE the farewell, my wife gave me some money. Also, it is in three large plastic bags. 

“Those two plastic bags are for eating malem. Satay same gule. One more bag is for dad stock. There's instant porridge, instant noodles. Salty and abon eggs. Also toothbrushes and toothpaste. And other toiletries. Plus eucalyptus oil and cigarettes,” my wife explained.

He knew exactly how to prepare everything I needed because he was going to go a few days for office duties out of town. 

And I believe, he has also prepared various daily needs of children at home. Habits he has been doing all this time.

With the guard's permission, I brought my wife's luggage first to the room. I took dirty clothes to take home. Washed at home.

“O yes, by the way, every time mom dateng or anter food, make money kopelan also yes?” my many. My wife just smiled.

“Many actually out dong money during this?” say again. More feeling guilty. Keep on being a burden.

“There is a rejekanya, Allah who loves everything. That windfall has to be shared. But, mother never gave money, just bring food for the officer. It's normal, anyway we help each other and appreciate,” said my wife. And smiling too.

“But add ngerepotin mother aja,” said I interrupted.

“Dad don't take it. The important thing is to take care of health, keep nrimo in destiny, and continue to pray for us as a family,” said my wife. Stay with a smile. Keep trying to cool my heart.   

I kissed my wife. As I hugged his body from behind bars. He elus-elus my head. Haru is right my heart. That touch of sincerity crawled all over my body. Shaking hearts. Sowing tranquility. 

“Inshaallah, tomorrow before leaving, you come here first. Pamit dad,” said my wife, before exiting the guard post. Just as I looked at the Maghrib. 

After the evening apple, and Isyaan congregated, all the inhabitants of room 10 ate together. Enjoy the satay and gule my wife brought this evening.

“Alhamdulillah, there is only our fortune. Thank you all for your wife, Be. Inshaallah the fortune of Babe's wife continues to flow,” said Edi who was so eager to eat goat satay. 

I said to Edi by nodding my head and raising my hand. Assures. 

Ijal and Tomy ate the yellow rice that was bought from the officer by force, this morning. Even so, they also got their share of goat satay and goat gule. 

Suddenly Deni tamping stood behind bars. He signals Ijal. Ask for one skewer. I'm nodding. Ijal. Gave me what Deni wanted.

“Along step kepengen eat satay. Alhamdulillah, this malem is my wish,” said Deni while biting satay in his hand. We all smiled at the tamping behavior of the 20s. 

After Ijal tidied the dishes and wrapping food, assisted by Tomy, Irfan, and Arya to clean the floor by sweeping and mopping, Edi asked all the cell residents to sit in their respective places.

He explained to Pepen as a new resident, there will be a tradition in room 10. Introduce yourself, give a sign of friendship with three packs of cigarettes, and pay a monthly money of Rp 600,000.

“Please recognize yourself,” said Edi later, looking at Pepen sitting in the corner of the room.

The flat-bodied man stood up. He looks very nervous. He repeatedly bit his lips. Trying to calm down.

“Laise, Pen. Not going to be pounded here mah,” said Doni, seeing Pepen who looked very nervous.

“Good night everyone. My name is Pepen. I have a case of lakalantas,” he said after successfully calming himself.

“You're non muslim?” ask Aris. Pepen nodded.

“OK, advanced. How with the provisions in this room, you are ready not,” between Edi.

“What's the weight?” ask Iyos. Interjected. 

“Because I just out of money in the previous room, in room 7. I paid Rp 500,000, just last week. Honestly, I am from a family that is not capable. So frankly, can not if you have to pay as much as the provisions here,” said Pepen in a clear voice. 

Uncommanded, we looked simultaneously at Edi. The one who was busy enjoying a cigarette after dinner while leaning his body to the door of the room. 

Long enough the atmosphere of the room became quiet. Pepen was still standing in his place. Awaiting response to his statement. 

“So how, Kap?” asked Aris, breaking the silence. 

Edi looked at his face. Look at us one by one. As if asking for an opinion. But we all just kept quiet. 

In prison life, the decision of the head of the chamber is final. Even if he asks for an opinion, just to keep the element of humanity. Avoiding colonization of fellow men, who are equally as loyal as soon as possible. 

“So like this, Pepen. If you want to follow and on your recognition as an underprivileged person, in fact we are all not capable people either. The only rich in this room is Mr. Aris. In principle, you have to pay according to the provisions. But I give a dispensation, can be repaid three times. This is a decision and should not be debated,” said Edi after staying long enough.  

Pepen's face looked surprised. Blanch. Apparently, he did not expect his request to be rejected. Although there is softening, it can be repaid three times. 

“Sorry, Cap. If I can, I took the installment six times,” said Pepen, bidding. With a stalled voice.

“I told you this decision should not be debated. You are nawar. If you don't want to, it's okay. I'll take it to the guards if you can't follow the room rules. Let the guard take over,” said Edi with his chuckle. 

Spontaneous Pepen crying. He approached Edi. Kneel down, holding Edi's leg. 

“What the fuck. I am human, do not worship. Return to your place by your own way or I throw you to your place,” Edi, this time with a high tone.

Hurriedly Pepen stood up. Half-run, he returned to his place. Downed body. She's still crying.

“Tomorrow morning, I move you to room 8 or 9. Just so you know, in that room all this time they just eat rice cadong. A day a night only eats once. Drink tap water too. I can't buy gallon water. Because the one in the room is on the keukeuh, do not want support for kayak room fees here,” said Edi while staring at Pepen.

“Sorry, Cap. I follow his decision. Do not move to room 8 or 9. It is not strong for me to go in there,” said Pepen standing up. Staring at Edi. Hopeful.

We all breathed a sigh of relief. Often, differences in views that are not in principle, trigger the birth of sparks lead to unnecessary disputes. 

“Emang actually in room 8 and 9 eating only rice and drinking water from the tap, Kap?” tomy asked, after the atmosphere improved.

“Ya really, Tom. Why am I lying too. That Pepen knows. That's why he does not want to be moved there,” said Edi.    

“Kok can do that, Kap?” i said, interjecting.

“Yes that is, Be. Prisoners who just entered the room charge money for the head of the room. But that's not it. In this prison, there is a lot to deal with. Starting drinking water, we must buy gallon water through the officer. The price is Rp 20,000 per gallon, which is only Rp 7,500. It is expensive, but it is more sterile and healthy than drinking tap water. Not to mention other costs, which Babe also already knows how weird,” explained Edi.

“Herannya how they can bear yes live kayak days like that,” I said. Mumbled.

“Because everyone in that room doesn't want to live, Be. Self-sufficient ego and attitude itself are developed, so there is no togetherness. As a result, they are difficult themselves. Look at it, if it fits snagin, rooms 8 and 9 will be fixed in-keong. Wh why? Yes because they can not pay money ngangin,” continued Edi.

“Don't most of those in that room just don't have a time, Kap,” said Doni. Overwrite.

“You need to know yes, Doni. If you go to jail, don't tell people you don't have it. There's no point in that. Even if you scream a thousand times. Here, the cost of living is two to three times greater than we are outside. If you can't follow the rhythm, it's hard. Still good fate if accepted as OD kayak Ijal this. So he desperately handled all his duties, let it remain OD. Because he realized, will not be able to follow the rhythm here if fired so OD,” said Edi again.

We're all dumbstruck. The more open the view and knowledge of the complex environment of this detention house. So many colors of life that were never imagined, it turned out to be reality (connected).